Quick Change Sparger Systemfor Bioreactors and Fermentors

Sparging and Mass Transfer from Gases to LiquidsIn bioreactor and fermentor systems, optimal mass transfer of gases likeoxygen or carbon dioxide is perhaps the most difficult task to accomplish.Oxygen, in particular, is poorly soluble in water - and even less in cell cultureand fermentation broths. Oxygen transfer is aided by agitation used to mixnutrients and to keep the cell culture or fermentation homogeneous. Thereare limits to agitation speed due to high power consumption as well as damage to organisms resulting from excessive tip speed. Agitation alonedoes not provide adequate mass transfer.Using a Mott porous metal sparger greatly increases mass transfer rates inbioreactors and fermentors. The introduction of gases into stirred or unstirred reactor vessels via millions of tiny bubbles increases the gas-to-liquid contactareas allowing for optimal mass transfer rates. In-tank applications, with sparging elements located inside the tank, can be batch or continuous flow, with or without agitation.

Quick Change Spargers* Provide Fast and Easy Installation and ValidationIn the past Mott porous metal sparger elements, or “frits” as they are sometimes called, were welded to the end of sparger assemblies. This fixed method of attachment required either a cut and re-weld method of replacement or a clean out-of-place method for the entire sparger assem-bly to meet GMP validation methods. Today, Mott offers a Quick Change Sparger that reduces the time and effort toreplace the porous metal sparger element.With the Quick Change Sparger system (see figure 2), the porous metal elementcan be removed and replaced after each use. Eliminating the need to re-weldthe tip or clean the entire assembly. After each batch, a new tip can be installedon the end of the assembly and is ready for steam in place operation. Or the

sparger tip can be cleaned out of place utilizing a number of methods including ultrasonic cleaning or detergent and water flush. Either way, the Quick Change Sparger can help make sparger change out simple and easy. Changing to new clean sparger tips aftereach batch provides an excellent method of maintaining GMP process validation methods.

Available for RetrofitThe Quick Change Sparger consists of a trident adapter for the end of the sparging wand or assembly and a matingporous metal sparging tip (See figure 4). The adapter can be used to modify existing sparger assemblies to accept theQuick Change Sparger tip. The trident adapter design providesoptimal support for the porous element without the need forthreads, clamps or other excessive areas that cannot be sterilized during SIP cycles.

Mott Porous Metal Spargers – a Biotech Industry StandardThe ultimate goal of the bioprocess engineer is to provide an optimum environment for biological processes. One major concern is the shear sensitivity of certain cell cultures. The use of shear protective additives such as Pluronic F-68 or methyl-celluse are proven to reduce the shear impact of bubblerupture from sparged gas in cell cultures. Industry studies havecontinually proven that the simplest and most effective method of oxygen transfer is direct sparging of gas into the system.

For decades bioreactor and fermentor designers and operatorshave relied on Mott porous metal spargers to provide this uniformbubble size and dispersion rate. The 316L SS porous metalspargers are robust and capable of withstanding temperatures inexcess of 400°C (752°F) and differential pressure in excess of 500 psid. This rugged material allows for repeated sterilizationsvia autoclave or through steam in place methods. The 316L SSmaterial also ensures zero out-gassing and no extraction ofharmful contaminants.

* Patent Pending

figure 1 Mott porous metal spargingelements with sparger wand and quickchange trident adapter

figure 2

HPBIOSPARG 0713

ISO 9001:2008 CERTIFIED

84 Spring Lane, Farmington, CT 06032-3159 | 860-747-6333 Fax 860-747-6739www.mottcorp.com | email: quest@mottcorp.com

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Quick Change Sparger

Example:

Bio-Pharm Sparger Part DescriptionCode Product Family6892 Removable Sparger Elements

| Code OD/ID| 0.75 0.75 OD / .625 ID| 1 1.0 OD / .750 ID| | Code Specific Porous Length See Dimension A above| | 1 1.0 inch| | 2 2.0 inch| | 3 3.0 inch| | 4 4.0 inch| | | Code Media Grade| | | 0.5 0.5 µm| | | 2 2 µm| | | 5 5 µm| | | 10 10 µm| | | | Code Material| | | | AA 316L SS Porous/Hardware| | | | | Code Material| | | | | QC Quick Change| | | | | |

6892 0.75 1 5 AA QC

Hastelloy is a registered trademark of Haynes International, Inc.Monel is a registered trademark of Special Metals Corporation.Teflon® is a registered trademark of E. I. DuPont Nemours & Co., Inc.

figure 3

Quick Change Sparger – Product OfferingThe Quick Change Spargers (See figure 3) are available in the following standard sizes:Inlet Tube sizes are all 1/2 inch OD with the following porous element sizes:

3/4 inch OD sparger tubes with 1 inch, 2 inch, 3 inch and 4 inch porous element lengths. Porous metal media grades are 0.5 µm, 2 µm, 5 µm and 10 µm.1 inch OD sparger tubes with 1 inch, 2 inch, 3 inch and 4 inch porous element lengths. Porous metal media grades are 0.5 µm, 2 µm, 5 µm and 10 µm.

Materials of ConstructionStandard porous media for spargers is 316L stainless steel,which provides excellent corrosion resistance and high temperature capability, up to 400°C (750°F). Standard spargerhardware is 316L stainless steel. Other materials are available on special order, including 304L SS, 347 SS, 430 SS, Inconel®

600, Monel®400, Nickel 200; Hastelloy® C276,C22 and X; and Alloy 20.

figure 4Quick Change Sparger Trident Adapter #207680

Order O-Ring SeparatelyO-Rings for Trident Adapter

CPN Material

101041-00 Size 111 Viton USP Class VI

101042-00 Size 111 EPDM USP Class VI

101043-00 Size 111 Kalrez USP Class VI

101044-00 Size 111 Platinum Cured Silicon USP Class VI

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